Quebec man found guilty of terrorism charges in plot to overthrow Haitian government

A man from Lévis, Que., has been found guilty of planning acts of terrorism in Haiti.

After just over three hours of deliberations, the jury returned to court to deliver its verdict in the trial of Gérald Nicolas, 53, on Wednesday.

He was originally charged in November 2022 for having left Canada to facilitate a terrorist activity, having facilitated a terrorist activity and providing property for that same purpose.

The defendant remained unmoved when he was found guilty of all three counts for activities that date back to 2020 and 2021. Sitting behind him, his wife burst into tears.

Upon leaving the courtroom, Nicolas declined to give an interview, but said he is now a "political prisoner."

During the trial, Nicolas testified that he wanted to lead a gentle and peaceful revolution to restore dignity to the Haitian people, his country of origin. The eight women and four men on the jury did not believe the version of events. 

The Crown's evidence included numerous writings on social media, notably those where Nicolas projected an armed and violent revolution.

Nicolas traveled to the Haitian border in the Dominican Republic to carry out his project. He claims to have lost nearly $20,000 in the venture, after falling victim to what he called a "revolution scam."

People who were supposed to support him on the ground allegedly asked him for money to buy equipment, supposedly essential to the uprising.

Prosecutor Philippe Legault said he will seek an eight-year sentence. In addition, the prosecution will request Nicolas be incarcerated immediately. The accused's lawyer, Tiago Murias, said he will contest the prosecution's suggested sentence and request for immediate incarceration.

Judge Louis Dionne, who presided over the trial, will hear arguments from both sides on the matter starting Thursday morning.

In the meantime, Nicolas was allowed to return home, though he's ordered to appear for his hearing Thursday.